This remodeling was prompted by a leaking dishwasher and we had to move everything out ASAP so the guys could remove everything that got wet, so I got no 'before' photos. Having such a big empty space got me thinking of how things could be rearranged. I did find some old photos. The couch is white and pretty modern/cool looking under those big brown slipcover but the white upholstery shows too much dirt to not have a slipcover. Hoping to find a cover that would allow the legs/shape to show more. I do have a second matching end table I'd like to put where the bird swing was. You can also see where a round rug might be the best shape given that bird platform corner juts out into the room: Fireplace/mantle are the same but the aquarium and little thing with blankets are no longer there, I added flowers to that vase and there is a grey round mirror: Bird area will remain pretty much the same. My bird is never locked in his cage (little door on the side he uses), so he needs a 'bird proof' space all his own. I do at least try to keep his area neat and orderly. The floor protector in this photo will be reused on the new hard floors as well. Here is the bar area/general current state of our living area; While mine is currently packed away, the 'piano' in the model is not a 'real' piano. I built this exact stand/bench for a digital piano from this tutorial but painted mine light gray instead of staining it. I had it under the bar before but think it would be nicer in front of the window: Credit to https://makeit-loveit.com/diy-digital-piano-stand-plus-bench

I've had a pretty rough go getting a new kitchen installed - am I allowed to post a link to a google photos album here? I've put comments on the photos and I'm curious what others think - am I too picky, or is this just what you get for 3x IKEA prices? https://photos.app.goo.gl/tMT9tjDByCEFVCQ37

Good stuff from Beverly above. If you're a visual person (like me) you can also try the balloon trick. Blow up some balloons to be the same size as the lights (as close as possible.) Or you could mock something up with cardboard which would work well since your lights are rectangular (and very cool by the way.) Then hang your mockups on strings from the ceiling. You can play with positioning and length of string to see what you think. Stand by them to check your sight lines when working at the counter, and check them from further away to see how they look. I did this when I replaced a light in my kitchen with a light that has 3 separate globes that can be hung at different heights. I moved my table under the mocked up "light", sat the kids down for dinner, and fiddled around with the strings until I was happy with the heights of the balloons compared to the table. Then I kept the mockup hung nearby for the electrician to follow as a guide.

I would add three can lights there. What is in the space “below” your table? Do you need a light there? Your cans should be located above your countertops though—where they are now will create a shadow when you’re at the counter working bc the light is behind you. Here’s part of our kitchen lighting plan so you can see where the cans are placed. And are they all 4” vs the old-style 6”?